Destination 7 - Mont-Saint-Michel, France, Normandy

The gothic apparition rises above the flat fields and salt marshes of the Normandy coast. The abbey's spire crowned with a golden figure of St. Michael. Pilgrims have been walking out to it across the sand for centuries. Legend tells that Micheal, the fiery archangel, appeared to Bishop Aubert of Avranges in 708 and told him to build a shrine on the craggy island in the bay. The bishop was slow to act, even after a second visitation, so Micheal appeared a third time and burned a hole in his skull with his blazing finger - that got the work started. Holy relics brought from Italy drew pilgrims to the island, though they were probably following an establish route, as many hilltop sites sacred to the Celtic solar god Bel  were reassigned to St Micheal when Christianity absorbed older pagan traditions.

The granite outcrop was originally part of the land, but as sea levels rose after the last Ice Age it was cut off from the coast, except for a small natural land bridge covered by the tide, which rises rapidly by as much as 14m. Early pilgrims had to pick their way across the flats a low water, taking care to avoid treacherous patches of quicksand, and local guides still recreate this hazardous journey for modern visitors. A permanent causeway was added in 1879, but this has created a build-up of silt carried down the River Couesnon. Work is now under way to replace the causeway with a bridge, allowing the sea to flow freely around the mount so that its island status will be restored.

Mont-Saint-Michel sky view

Mont-Saint-Michel night view

At Mont-Saint-Michel

Destination 8 - Angkor Wat, Cambodia

The temple's three-tiered structure steps up to five lotus-bud towers. There is mystery here. The polished sandstone pinnacles probably represent the five peaks of Mount Meru, mythical home of the Hindu gods. The building faces west, either because it was intended as a funerary temple for King Suryavarman II or because it was dedicated to Vishnu, god of the west. World's largest temple with an estimation five millions tons of sandstone was brought down river from a quarry 25 miles away. The central tower, once a holy of holies  accessible only yo the priesthood and now a tourists' viewpoint over the city. The moat proved a strong defence,  for Angkor Wat  is but a fraction of a large  metropolis that was reclaimed by nature after it was abandoned in the early 16th century. It is the only Angkor temple to have survive as a significant religious centre, first for Hindus and then for Buddhist.

The workmanship is awesome. Instead of mortaring, the stone blocks are seamlessly interlinked with carved mortise-and-tenon or dovetail joints, and then buffed to a marble sheen. The internal work is equally fine, and equally immense, with endless bas-relief carvings covering walls, columns and roofs. One frieze shows the Hindu creation myth, the Churning of the Sea of Milk, with Vishnu in the centre above his turtle avatar Kurma, and there are depiction of scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata epics. Sculpture becomes architecture  in expanses of exuberant stone comic strips showing battles and chariots, unicorns and gryphons, dragons and elephants, garlands, dancing girls and cheery guardian spirits.

Angkor Wat

Inside Angkor Wat

Angkor War skyview

carve on Angkor Wat wall

Destination 9 - Genting Highland

Genting Highlands is a popular holiday destination in Pahang, perched high up on the peak of Gunung Ulu Kali at about 1,800 meters. Only an hour's drive away from Kuala Lumpur (about 50km), its close distance makes it a suitable getaway from the hot and humid weather of Malaysia. Colourful theme parks, casinos, resorts and attractions line the mountain peak, while vast surroundings of lush rainforest contrast starkly. Tourists make the trip to discover the theme park, farms and enjoy the view, with their families or friends.

The only attractions are its casinos, extravagant theme park and occasionally splendid view on a clear day. The rest are composed of mediocre shopping, commercialized farms and expensive restaurants. On the other hand, if you're not looking for a serious holiday but a quick getaway into cooling weather, then Genting is one of the easiest places to reach from Kuala Lumpur city. It's also enjoyable for a day or weekend of meaningless (but relaxing) activity and sightseeing, especially with children. Meanwhile, nature lovers will be grateful for the slopes surrounding Genting Highlands, which are perfect trekking grounds with beautiful waterfalls hidden behind lush drapes of tropical rainforest.

Genting Highlands has a cooling weather between 20°C to 25°C during the day and 15°C to 20°C during the night. Misty weather is an ordinary element and thunder storms are frequent towards the year end. However, you can visit Genting Highlands anytime during the year as it has a good network of roads that are not flat to landslides. If you wish less rain on your holiday, the best time to come here would lie between March - September. From October till February, the rainfall is at its heaviest. Be sure to wear some thick clothing at night if you're susceptible to cold. The mist around the peak can obscure panoramic views of Kuala Lumpur city and the landscape below. The best time to get a clear view is during the early mornings and late evenings, but this is not a hard and fixed rule. Also, travel during non-peak periods and outside school holidays and festive seasons, if you want to have cheaper accommodation rates.

view of Genting Highland

Genting Highland indoor park

Genting Highland

Destination 10 - Niagara Falls

Earlier than you even get close to the Falls, you'll listen to it. Millions of gallons of water run over its 170-foot cliffs every few seconds. Twenty percent of the world's freshwater is in the Great Lakes, and nearly all of it flows over Niagara Falls, making it one of the most powerful and beautiful works of nature you'll encounter anywhere.

You've maybe seen the Falls in pictures, however up close and in person, the power and grandeur of the roaring waters still takes you by surprise. Feel the passion as you stand in the middle of clouds of rising mist and rainbow-painted spray on the Maid of the Mist boat tour or the Cave of the Winds walk. You can even dine with an amazing view at the Top of the Falls restaurant.

Niagara Falls

Niagara's history is dramatic, too. From its Ice Age legacy, on display at the Niagara Gorge Discovery Center, to the stories of daredevils who tried to go over the Falls in barrels. At the Daredevil Museum you can learn about high-wire tightrope acts that were performed across the Gorge, including that of The Great Blondin, who carried his manager on his back. Fascinating exhibits include a two-person barrel and a jet ski used in an attempt to go over the Falls. 

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls at Night

Destination 11 - Keukenhof, Holland

For those who love tulips will have a dream to come to Holland. This is because Holland is the place that famous with tulips and it famous all over the world. If want to see Dutch tulips fields in bloom, should come visit Holland in April and May. At this month the biggest flower park in the world, Keukenhof will open the doors and let us enjoy the blooming flowers. Keukenhof is a park where more than 7 million flower bulbs are planted every year. Gardens and four pavilions show a fantastic collection of tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, orchids, roses, carnations, irises, lilies and many more. Everybody whose go there will overwhelmed by a wonderful colours and scent. 

The uniqueness of Keukenhof is give an unforgettable experiences for all people at any stage of age. The park only open 8 weeks a year. Kuekenhof can be reach within half an hour from The Hague, Haarlem, Leiden, Delft and Amsterdam. However, traffic is a problematic around Keukenhof during the opening weeks. The alternative is by staying in Zandvoort, Noordwijk or Leiden and reach Keukenkof by bike. You will cycle along the tulip fields and enjoy the unique Dutch landscape. 

Keukenhof Garden

Keukenhof Garden

Keukenhof Garden

Destination 12 - Cameron Highland, Pahang

Cameron Highland is a one of attraction place located in the state of Pahang. It is the largest and most famous hill resort in the country also still retains much of the charm of an English village. Cameron Highland also being a primarily agriculture domain. There are lot of vegetables and fruits farms . Besides that it also one of the place that produce flowers and tea in Malaysia. Located on the Titiwangsa Range at about 1500 metres above sea-level and the temperature here can drop to 16 degrees celcius or lower at certain times. There are 4 main townships followed by smaller settlements at different elevations. The first town from the from the south is Ringlet then Tanah Rata, Brinchang, Kea Farm, Tringkap, Kuala Terla and Kampung Raja. In Ringlet you cannot find any hotels. It only one of main agriculture hub in the highlands. The Bertam Valley that located about 5km away is one of the main flower and vegetables producers. Tanah Rata is the place where the main bus station located. Most of the chalets and backpacker's accommodation is located here in and around Tanah Rata.

There are many attraction place at Cameron Highland. One of it is tea plantations. Trip to Cameron Highland is not complete without a trip to the tea plantations. A visit to the factories can learn about the tea making process and also have a sit and enjoy a cup of tea with the beautiful scenery of tea plantation place. The 3 top tea plantations are Boh Tea Plantation, Sungai Palas Tea Plantation and Cameron Valley Tea Plantation.

Boh Tea Plantation

Strawberry farms also one of the attraction place in Cameron Highland. There are a lot strawberry farms and it almost everywhere in Cameron Highland. There you will be offer locally grown strawberries and home made strawberry jams. You also can pluck your own strawberries and charge is according to the weight. The most popular strawberry farms are Big Red Strawberry Farms, Healthy Strawberry Farms, Kasimani's Strawberry Farms, KHM Strawberry Farms and Raju's Hill Strawberry Farm. 

Big Red Strawberry Farms 

Other attraction in Cameron Highland are vegetables farms, museum and galleries, flower nurseries, market, honey bee farms and butterfly centres.

Vegetables Farm

flowers nursery in Cameron Highland

Destination 13 - Bukittinggi, Indonesia

Allocated in Padang, Indonesia Bukittinggi or 'high hill' is town of West Sumatra's culture center. With 900 meters over sea level, Bukittinggi will give you experience with refreshingly cool climate. Even though it is a place that always rain it did not deter travelers to enjoy what many claim is the most hospitable city in Sumatra. The town also called Tri Agra which refers to the three majestic  mountains that shape the region fortune. Many travelers taht come to Bukittinggi will visit a remarkable Ngarai Sianak Canyon. The canyon is a a place where giant rock cliff faces, rugged trees which grow on the top and the dramatic surrounding mountains make this canyon a spellbinding view. This is a place to go if you want to get beyond the average tourist trail. Compared to other spot in Sumatra, Bukittinggi only receives a handful of visitors that use town as a base for nearby hikes or take cultural tours to the Minangkabau highland.

Places that can be visited are Ngarai Sianak Canyon, Jam Gadang, Kota Gadang and many more. Ngarai Sianak Canyon is located on the southwestern edge of Bukittinggi. It have a unique geographic wonder. A river meanders through the rice fields below dissapearing in the hazy distance beyond. The best look out over the canyon is from Panorama Park is also a popular spot with locals come here to stroll in the afternoon air. Meanwhile Jam Gadang is the main land mark in Bukittinggi. It is the clock tower and give  the overlooks at the market square, a beehive of activity and the best place to do some souvenir shopping. Visitors also can know Minang culture by attending a dance performance at the museum's open stage at Sliguri. Besides that visitors also can see bullfights at Padang Lawas about 6km south of Bukittinggi. If got time, visitors also can visit Rumah Gadang Museum, a traditional house build in the 19th century. Other places that can be visited are Pagaruyung Minangkabau palace, Lake Maninjau and lake Singkarak.

Ngarai Sianok Canyon 

Jam Gadang

Pagaruyung Palace